Runner number pocket for runners

ABSTRACT

A jersey, jacket or similar garment features a built-in transparent pocket on the front of the garment for a runner number. The pocket may be affixed to the garment by the manufacturer, or it may be provided as an after-market modification in an iron-on version. The pocket is sized to securely hold a runner number or similarly sized document, and features an aperture at the lower edge with a secure closure, such as a zipper lock or a flap with a hook-and-loop fastener strip.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/886,979, filed Oct. 4, 2013, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to running equipment and accessories andin particular to a runner number pocket for runners. A broad variety ofspecialized gear and apparel for runners has been developed, and severalskill levels of running competition are now in place, with racesoccurring every weekend across the country. Amateur runners wear runnernumbers in the form of large tags or bibs which identify them for thejudges and timekeepers, as well as the spectators. Unfortunately, therunner may not secure the runner number adequately to the fabric of thejersey, particularly when registering and receiving a runner number inthe final minutes before the race begins. This results in the runnernumber falling off, and the runner loses precious seconds recovering therunner number and then reattaching it to the jersey. The runner numbermay be securely and safely affixed with safety pins, but this usuallyresults in damage to the jersey. A jersey, jacket or similar garment,featuring a built-in transparent pocket on the front of the garment fora runner number, would resolve this problem. The pocket may be affixedto the garment by the manufacturer, or it may be provided as anafter-market modification in an iron-on version. The pocket is sized tosecurely hold a runner number or similarly sized document, and featuresan aperture at the lower edge with a secure closure, such as a zipperlock or a flap with a hook-and-loop fastener strip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a runner number pocket forrunners. A jersey, jacket or similar garment features a built-intransparent pocket on the front of the garment for a runner number. Thepocket may be affixed to the garment by the manufacturer, or it may beprovided as an after-market modification in an iron-on version. Thepocket is sized to securely hold a runner number or similarly sizeddocument, and features an aperture at the lower edge with a secureclosure, such as a zipper lock or a flap with a hook-and-loop fastenerstrip.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

The FIGURE shows a front view of the first exemplary embodiment,displaying the garment 10, the pocket 11, the aperture 12, and theclosure 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a runner number pocket 11 for runners. A jersey, jacket or similarupper body garment 10 features a built-in transparent pocket 11 on thefront of the garment 10 for a runner number. The pocket 11 may beaffixed to the garment 10 by the manufacturer, or it may be provided asan after-market modification in an iron-on version.

The first exemplary embodiment consists of a jersey, jacket or similargarment 10, featuring a transparent rectangular pocket 11 affixed to thefront. The pocket 11 is sized to securely hold a runner number orsimilarly sized document, and features an aperture 12 at the lower edgewith a secure closure 13, such as a zipper lock or a flap with ahook-and-loop fastener strip. The pocket 11 is waterproof, and thefabric of the garment 10 is breathable to enable the garment 10 andpocket 11 to be laundered normally, and machine dried on a low heat orno heat setting. The garment 10 and pocket 11 are treated with achemical agent to retard the growth of fungus.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user puts on the garment 10.When the runner number is acquired, the user inserts the runner numberinto the aperture 12 on the lower edge of the pocket 11, and secures theclosure 13. The user may then compete in a race.

The garment 10 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durablefabric that is machine washable and breathable, such as cotton or acotton-rayon blend. The pocket 11 and closure 13 are preferablymanufactured from flexible, durable materials, such as plastic andnylon. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above arepreferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components andmaterials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A garment with a runner number pocket comprising a garment;said garment being an upper body garment; a transparent pocket; saidtransparent pocket being affixed to the front of said garment.
 2. Thegarment with a runner number pocket of claim 1 wherein said transparentpocket is affixed to said garment at the time of manufacture.
 3. Thegarment with a runner number pocket of claim 1 wherein said transparentpocket is provided as an aftermarket addition to said garment.
 4. Thegarment with a runner number pocket of claim 1 wherein said transparentpocket is of waterproof material and said garment is of permeablematerial.
 5. The garment with a runner number pocket of claim 2 whereinsaid transparent pocket is of waterproof material and said garment is ofpermeable material.
 6. The garment with a runner number pocket of claim3 wherein said transparent pocket is of waterproof material and saidgarment is of permeable material.
 7. The garment with a runner numberpocket of claim 1 wherein said transparent pocket is accessible via areclosable aperture in its lower edge.
 8. The garment with a runnernumber pocket of claim 2 wherein said transparent pocket is accessiblevia a reclosable aperture in its lower edge.
 9. The garment with arunner number pocket of claim 3 wherein said transparent pocket isaccessible via a reclosable aperture in its lower edge.
 10. The garmentwith a runner number pocket of claim 4 wherein said transparent pocketis accessible via a reclosable aperture in its lower edge.
 11. Thegarment with a runner number pocket of claim 5 wherein said transparentpocket is accessible via a reclosable aperture in its lower edge. 12.The garment with a runner number pocket of claim 6 wherein saidtransparent pocket is accessible via a reclosable aperture in its loweredge.